Hats Off to Brave Souls in the Funny Business

Everybody would like to be able to tell a joke like a stand-up comedian, but few of us can face a live audience.

A dead audience, now that’s a different story.

Laughter. Applause.

Did you hear about Thousand Oaks? The second-safest city in America is apparently gunning for No. 1. Just this week, the city gave citizen patrols the power to issue parking tickets. This will free police for more serious work--like protecting citizen patrols from hostile parking violators.

Gasp. Chuckles .

And then there’s the age-old philosophical question: If a comic falls on his face in an empty club, does he make a sound?

Hiss. Booo .

Oops. Not funny, especially to comedians. As staff writer Ken McAlpine discovered in researching this week’s Centerpiece, the ‘80s comedy boom has fizzled in the ‘90s.

“I suspected comedy had fallen off a bit, but I didn’t realize things were as hard as they are, both here in the county and around the country,” McAlpine said.

Since the days of vaudeville, stand-up comedy was never a sane career choice, and even in the TV age, comedians have to hustle to make a living. For every Jerry Seinfeld, there are a thousand like J. D., a struggling Santa Paula comic featured in McAlpine’s story.

“Having never met a real, live professional comedian, I was curious,” McAlpine said. “I found out that it is indeed a difficult road, and more difficult now than ever, but, in a vote for dreams and idealism, a lot of comedians are keeping at it, including the very funny J. D.”

McAlpine came away admiring comedians more than ever. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for folks who pursue their dream no matter how difficult it is,” McAlpine said. “And making it as a comedian struck me as pretty damn hard.”

After hanging out with local comedians, McAlpine realized how much work they put into their acts. As easy as it seems, it isn’t for everybody. Just because you amuse your co-workers at the coffee machine doesn’t mean you can crack up paying customers.

“I don’t know how many people I’ve heard say they think they’re riotously funny and capable of getting up on stage,” McAlpine said. “Sure, it’s easy to be funny in front of friends, family and other people who will humor you, but I for one would rather walk naked across Antarctica than stand up in front of a crowd of strangers and make them laugh.”

Advocating laughter as the best medicine, McAlpine urges you to “support local comedy. You’ll help folks pursue a dream. And you’ll get a good laugh, too.”